A.B.C. Avoid Backing Collisions

Transcription

1 A.B.C. Avoid Backing Collisions Oops! A Ten-Minute Training Presentation April 2017 from

2 A.B.C. Training Topic Agenda 1. Statistics 2. G.O.A.L. 3. Take a 2 nd look 4. Warnings/Signs 5. How to 6. Summary

3 STATISTICS According to the National Safety Council 25% of all crashes can be blamed on poor backing techniques. Property damage costs because of a typical backing up crash is about $7,400 per event. Each year nearly 500 deaths and 15,000 personal injuries are caused by vehicles traveling in REVERSE.

4 Get Out And Look (GOAL) Even if there is a spotter (someone to guide the vehicle while backing) Ultimately, it is the driver s responsibility to back up carefully. Get Out And Look for yourself. Back/reverse Top/height There are six sides and areas of the vehicle (Front, Back, Passenger Side, Driver Side, Top and Bottom). Check for overhead power lines, awnings, tree limbs, poles, ladders, basketball hoops, etc.. Passenger s side Driver s side Check for pot-holes, soft pavement, bicycles, baby carriages, other objects and obstacles. Bottom/surface Front/forward Will on coming traffic block the lane? Could a pedestrian walk into the path? Will someone (a spotter) be needed to control or block traffic? How close to the place of delivery must the vehicle get? Can cones be set out? Should an alternative approach be considered? Do I need to back up?

5 Slow movements help maintain control of the vehicle and more accurately judge distances. Minimize the distance needed to travel in reverse. The less ground covered, the less chance of striking an object. Be patience and DO NOT rush. Roll down all windows and listen if someone shouts STOP! Turn on hazard signals and sound horn before backing up. When moving in reverse, if you become unsure of the surroundings, get out and look again! GOAL! Keep checking all sides while backing to ensure conditions have not changed. Use a spotter and/or cones if available. Keep the spotter in sight at all times. If you are unsure, GOAL. Make sure mirrors are clean and in good positions to maximize the views around the vehicle Know the vehicle s blind spots!

6 Warnings/Signs If backing up is something you need to do upon arrival or departure, someone ahead of you might be doing the same thing. Slow Down! An excellent habit to develop. Practice makes permanent. People are idiots. Present company included. Be Prepared! Mirrors Required.

7 Warnings/Signs

8 How to The following tips are neither definitive nor exhaustive. They are designed to promote discussion, awareness, and encourage practice while putting SafetyFirst.

9 Head lights on! Hazard signals on! G.O.A.L. Sound the horn! Driving in Reverse while towing a Trailer. Hold the steering wheel at the bottom. To direct the backend of the trailer to the LEFT, move your hand LEFT. To direct the backend of the trailer to the RIGHT, move your hand RIGHT. BACK UP SLOWLY!

10 Tips When Parking without a trailer When possible, park to avoid having to back out when leaving. 1.Put turn signal on. 2.Pull just past the space and near the center of both lanes... 3.Put the vehicle in reverse, gently sound horn and turn the wheel towards the parking space... 4.Straighten the wheel while moving backwards. 5.Keep looking around, checking mirrors and turning your head. Proceed slowly and with caution!

11 Summary Most backing accidents are completely avoidable. Walk around the vehicle and look for potential hazards. Signal your intentions to back up! Use your hazard signals. Use your horn (gently) to signal your movement. Avoid blind side backing whenever possible. If you cannot see where you are going, consider getting help from a spotter. Practice hand signals before moving! Avoid backing up into traffic. It is very dangerous get help to be safe.

12 How to A.B.C.? G.O.A.L.! Avoid Backing Collisions Get Out And Look Each year nearly 500 deaths and 15,000 personal injuries are caused by vehicles traveling in REVERSE. National Safety Council Print and post: SafetyFirst Systems, LLC MTMTT- April 2017